Scotts Book

So I am brand new to stamp collecting.
Dose Scotts make a book for just modern U.S.A. stamps?
What would one cost?
Thanks.

Yes, I bought mine two years ago for $8.00 it was a 2008 edition. You should be able to find a 2012 between $50 and $90. The 2013 will be between $90 & $100. Try Amazon.

Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps & Covers

Thanks for replying.
As I am just starting out I think one a few years old would better suit me considering the price.
Maybe I can find one on e-bay.

If your collecting needs are basic (beginner) you may want to make do with "The Postal Service Guide to US Stamps". It contains the basic Scott catalog numbers and values, but is not as in depth as the Scott Catalog. The 2013 (40th edition) has just hit the market at $29.95. It's also laid out well in that black pages with full color stamp illustrations are directly opposite the catalog listings, which makes it very easy to identify issues.

You can buy the catalog at many larger post offices, or order it directly from USPS.COM either on-line or by phone at 1-800-782-6724. The Order Number is 891300.

Thanks for the info.
What years of production dose that book cover?

1847-Present, including the 2013 complete US Stamp Program.

Holy cow!
That must be a very thick book!

Before you buy the book, what years are you looking to collect?

Definitely, get that book - it's great for beginners. And a great price

My 2012 (39th Edition) of the Postal Service Guide to US Stamps is 400 pages. For 2013, the price went up from $21.95 to $29.95 (presumably because it added a few more pages of modern issues that weren't in the previous edition).

I know this may be heresy to some here. But if your needs are really basic (e.g. seeing a list of stamps issued by year, identifying stamps by pictures, etc.), then get the Mystic's stamp catalogue to begin with. It is FREE. Just call Mystic.

Of course, the objective of the catalogue is to get you to buy stamps from them. But you don't have to.

Riderontherain...

Nah, it's not heresy. While Mystic is a quagmire of slick deception where it comes to stamps (here's a great offer.. while yer at it, here look at these pretty stamps in iffy condition for 3 times catalog!), but their publications (Albums and catalogs) are very popular and quite nice, from the many reviews I've read.

Sure, they are loss leaders most likely, to bring in new suckers... umm.. customers for their overpriced/underwhelming stamps, but that doesn't mean the albums aren't well made and very affordable. Their catalog is pretty good for a beginner's viewing, so long as (a) they don't want all the details about the stamp (the USPS book, or the more expensive Scott US Specialized would have that info), and (b) they don't see the prices shown as realistic.

Is Mystic really over priced? At first glance the answer may be yes. However lets take a better look. First it is a retail location. Thus is will be more expensive to buy from them than and individual, ebay or bid stamp etc. You pay for the brick and mortar. There stamps comes with a guarantee they are what they say. The stamps are generally in better condition. In other words their stamp grade better. So you have a better stamp and other sites sell at a far higher price for a common stamp when its condition is called collectors grade.

So it really depends on the quality of stamp you want.

I am not that picky on the grade of my stamps since I just love to collect them. Other must have the best condition of everything, heck PSE has made a living out of grading common everyday stamps.

The Mystic Catalog is a good cheap reference book. However I find their approval service to be a pain in the neck.

Thus Mystic is not he quagmire of slick deception that everyone wants to pin on them.

Be ever so careful with this suggestion! If you follow the Mystic website and request their FREE catalog, you'll also get stamps on approval. There are pages of complaints on the internet about this being a "deceptive" practice, but if you carefully read the fine print, Mystic does say that approvals are included. There have also been comments that nothing is "FREE" -- if you call Mystic just for a catalog, they counter that the approvals are a way to drum up business to cover the printing and shipping costs of all who ask for their catalog.

Of course, if you buy something from Mystic (such as an album, supplies, etc.) you usually get a year or two worth of catalogs without approvals as you are one of their "customers"...but watch out if you are requesting only the "FREE" catalog as it can create a problem for the uninformed.

Yes you get approvals so what is the big deal. You have no obligation to buy or continue the service period. In every single case that is shown on the BBB review they have honored the request to stop sending approvals and even let the customer keep any that were sent in error.

People have to have common sense when they purchase and should always research the product and price they are paying. For example you do not want to over pay for a poor graded stamp and in my opinion the buyer is responsible for knowing this.

That said the Mystic Catalog is a good, not great resource for usa stamps.

"The stamps are generally in better condition. In other words their stamp grade better."

Not from what I have seen from them.